https://www.instagram.com/jennaececelia/p/DFY-dOGp9K_/ This blog is inspired by the viral poem by Jennae Cecelia. All over the internet, women have been reflecting on their journeys and after shedding my share of tears over other people’s pretty words I decided it was my turn. I met my younger self for coffee today.I wait for her at the door,ContinueContinue reading “I met my younger self for coffee”
Category Archives: Personal Journey/Reflections
October Slide
For years, I’ve experienced an uptick in symptoms of my chronic conditions around this time of year, but I’ve never had a reason why. No reason for a decline in my mood or an increase in my hypermobile joints causing random pain. (Who knew, the “normal” amount of pain is none? Certainly not me…) NoContinueContinue reading “October Slide”
The Autism Show 2024 – Attending as an Autistic Educator
Last weekend marked my first time attending The Autism Show, a national exhibition for and about autism, associated with the National Autistic Society and in partnership with Brain in Hand. I wasn’t sure what to expect, aside from having visited ExCel London once before. I booked my ticket in my capacity as an educator, workingContinueContinue reading “The Autism Show 2024 – Attending as an Autistic Educator”
Where I’ve been, and where I’m going
In my last blog, I alluded to upcoming “momentous change” that I couldn’t yet divulge. Well, here I am on the other side of that change, ready to spill at least some of the tea (though plenty will remain in my cup for now.) In February, I resigned from my role as a class teacher.ContinueContinue reading “Where I’ve been, and where I’m going”
It can’t always be the same
Wind’s in the east, there’s a mist coming in, Like something is brewing and about to begin… Mary Poppins, 1964 Photo by Alax Matias on Pexels.com On the ice, when I’m supposed to be perfecting backward chassés, is not the time to start reflecting. But I can’t help myself. I’m not as focused as IContinueContinue reading “It can’t always be the same”
Stepping Up
It’s been a school year that started on extremely wobbly foundations – think of a jenga tower missing a few blocks, perched atop a base of soft sand. By October half term, the sand had washed away and the jenga tower collapsed in a heap. I was not in a good way. Initially then, IContinueContinue reading “Stepping Up”
All the things I didn’t say
It’s been a long time since I’ve opened up my blog, especially with a view to writing something! Things are always so busy, and there are always so many demands on my time that writing in order to share it always lands at the very bottom of my priorities list. Still, there is a sizeableContinueContinue reading “All the things I didn’t say”
I’m Autistic*
I’m going to preface this blog by saying that I am not diagnosed autistic. I haven’t (yet) had a medical professional tell me that it’s true, but like many adults, lots of them women, I have found myself staring at a label that makes everything make sense. Self-diagnosis is still valid. It helps people likeContinueContinue reading “I’m Autistic*”
Does Anybody Have a Map?
I celebrated my twenty-fourth birthday a few days ago, and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how strange a time this is: Covid aside, being at the crossover of early and mid-twenties is honestly bizarre! Some people are still studying, some are early in their careers, and some are lucky enough to be fairlyContinueContinue reading “Does Anybody Have a Map?”
Holding out for a hero – Representation at just the right time
I’ve been totally obsessed with Vigil for its whole duration. It’s no secret that I love a good police procedural drama, with my past viewing history including Inspector Morse, Lewis, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Sherlock, Death in Paradise and the first two series (so far) of Line of Duty. I was drawn intoContinueContinue reading “Holding out for a hero – Representation at just the right time”
One Drop in the Ocean
It’s been a while since I put pen to paper (99% of my blogs start with paper drafts, or at least rough handwritten notes) and, much like every other time I’ve left a hiatus of note between posts, a lot has changed. Usually, my idea of change is ‘just’ the internal sort, and I’m usedContinueContinue reading “One Drop in the Ocean”
Looking to get lost
The (unintentional) break I took away from blogging left me with plenty of time to immerse myself in all sorts – that’s how I judge how good something is, I think. If I can forget the rest of the world while I’m consuming it, if I can slip into that world and feel at homeContinueContinue reading “Looking to get lost”
Que Sera, Sera – Hang In There
When I started writing blogs, more than twelve months ago now, I never would have suspected it would lead me here. First, that people would read it, and like to read it, too! Second, that I would make wonderful friends as a result of (quietly) shouting my thoughts into the great abyss of the internet!ContinueContinue reading “Que Sera, Sera – Hang In There”
Don’t Call Me Fragile
This blog post has been a very long time coming. I’ve hesitated, paused, rethought and rewritten, always afraid that I would cause offence by publishing it. Because this post is going to call people out, and if I’ve written it right, it might make others uncomfortable with their own language choices around the subject ofContinueContinue reading “Don’t Call Me Fragile”
Under The Same Stars
Here we are, back in lockdown again… I’ll resist the urge to get all political and go on a rant, I promise! As you’ll know if you’ve read my NQT year blogs (an ongoing project) I am an avid journaller, writing every day if I can. While being invaluable for recounting my NQT experiences, it’sContinueContinue reading “Under The Same Stars”
Whose voices should we hear?
Thoughts on Bullying This blog is in response to the Priti Patel bullying scandal that has swept through UK news recently. I’m not a politician and won’t pretend to know the ins and outs of the situation – like any other member of the public, the view I have has been formed of what I’veContinueContinue reading “Whose voices should we hear?”
Finding My Voice
So, this happened… On Wednesday morning, I recorded a podcast with the wonderful Toria from Teaching Others and Learning All the Time. She has made it her mission to raise tiny voices from the Twitterverse, to help us be heard and to make our stories known. One of those stories is mine. My URL aloneContinueContinue reading “Finding My Voice”
Are Treadmills Over-rated?
I’m in a weird in-between stage in my life, and I don’t know if I like it. Actually, I think my family would attest to me not liking it very much, considering how much I’ve moaned about it lately! All my life, my next step has been predetermined and secure. I have always known whatContinueContinue reading “Are Treadmills Over-rated?”
I am not ideal.
I am not ideal. Let me unpack that, because in its stark brevity it may be jarring, despite its truth. The terms ‘extrovert’ and ‘introvert’ to describe the two ends of the personality spectrum are relatively new, having been popularised almost 100 years ago by Carl Jung. But the predisposition towards one or the other,ContinueContinue reading “I am not ideal.”
A Letter to My Younger Self
Dear ten-year-old Caitlin, When I look at your school picture, I see your smile before anything else. But I remember how often you didn’t want to smile, too. Your crooked teeth, your clothes, your glasses, your height, your introversion, your maturity, your willingness to wear a woolly hat when it’s cold, your cleverness (yes, youContinueContinue reading “A Letter to My Younger Self”
One Quiet Teacher 